Question 1

Which of the following is NOT part of the definition of a desert?

Accepted Answer

Deserts are defined by their low precipitation, not by high temperatures. Some deserts, like cold deserts, can have low temperatures.

Question 2

The five kinds of desert regions include all but which of the following?

Accepted Answer

Tropical regions are typically not classified as desert regions because they receive more rainfall than deserts. Deserts are characterized by their dry conditions, not necessarily their temperature.

Question 3

What type of desert region includes the Sahara Desert of north Africa?

Accepted Answer

The Sahara Desert is classified as a subtropical desert, characterized by its location in the subtropical high-pressure zones where the air is descending, a condition that inhibits precipitation and produces clear skies and high temperatures. This is typical of large desert areas found in the subtropical regions around the world.

Question 4

Which type of desert region includes the largest dry expanses on Earth?

Accepted Answer

Subtropical deserts, such as the Sahara, are the largest dry expanses on Earth, primarily due to the high-pressure systems that dominate these latitudes, limiting cloud formation and precipitation.

Question 5

What is the name given to a desert that lies on the leeward side of a mountain range?

Accepted Answer

Rain shadow deserts form on the leeward side of mountain ranges, where the mountains block the passage of rain-producing weather systems, resulting in dry conditions on the far side.

Question 6

What is thought to be the cause of drought conditions over the past decade in the Southwestern United States?

Accepted Answer

Warmer sea-surface temperatures in the Pacific Ocean, particularly phenomena like El Niño and La Niña, significantly influence weather patterns, including precipitation distribution. This can lead to decreased rainfall in the Southwestern United States, contributing to drought conditions.

Question 7

What is natural sand blasting by sand grains called?

Accepted Answer

Abrasion is the process of scraping or wearing away, and it is the term used to describe natural sand blasting by sand grains.

Question 8

What is the removal of sediment by blowing it away called?

Accepted Answer

Deflation is the process by which wind removes surface materials, such as sediment, by blowing it away.

Question 9

What characteristic of a sand dune causes the greatest problems?

Accepted Answer

Sand dunes migrate due to wind, which can cause significant problems by burying structures, roads, and altering landscapes.

Question 10

Which of the following deserts owes its existence to being located far from the ocean in a continental interior?

Accepted Answer

The Gobi Desert's existence is largely due to its location in a continental interior, far from the ocean, which limits the amount of moisture that reaches the area. This geographical setting contributes to its arid climate.

Question 11

What type of desert is associated with upwelling ocean currents?

Accepted Answer

Coastal deserts are associated with upwelling ocean currents. These currents bring cold water from the deep ocean to the surface, cooling the air and reducing its ability to hold moisture. This leads to arid conditions on nearby land.

Question 12

About what percentage of the Earth's surface is covered by midlatitude deserts and semiarid grasslands?

Accepted Answer

The answer of About what percentage of the Earth's surface...

Question 13

About how much of the Earth's surface is covered by deserts exclusive of semiarid grasslands?

Accepted Answer

The answer of About how much of the Earth's surface...

Question 14

Which of the following is NOT one of the ways trees help to stave off desertification?

Accepted Answer

Biological weathering by tree roots is not a method by which trees help to stave off desertification. Instead, it refers to the process by which roots break down rocks into soil, which doesn't directly combat desertification. Desertification is more directly addressed by actions that conserve soil moisture, reduce erosion, and maintain the local climate, such as those described in the other options.

Question 15

What was the key factor in the natural recovery of desert lands that happened in Kuwait?

Accepted Answer

The fear of land mines kept people and livestock away from certain areas, allowing the desert ecosystem to recover naturally without human interference.

Question 16

Judge the following sentence according to the criteria given below: The frequency of dust storms impacting Beijing, China, has been increasing BECAUSE fallout of herbicides and pesticides in the Arctic is common.

Accepted Answer

The answer of Judge the following sentence according to the...

Question 17

Judge the following sentence according to the criteria given below: Desertification results from the expansion of existing deserts BECAUSE dryland ecosystems are extremely vulnerable to inappropriate land use.

Accepted Answer

Desertification does not result from the expansion of existing deserts; it is primarily caused by factors like inappropriate land use and climate change affecting dryland ecosystems.

Question 18

Read carefully through the following sentence and decide which of the options is correct. Analysis of sea surface temperatures in the Indian Ocean indicates that changes in land-use practices in the Sahel of Africa were sufficient to cause desertification.

Accepted Answer

The answer of Read carefully through the following sentence and...

Question 19

Which of the following is not responsible for the slow recovery of ecosystems from desertification?

Accepted Answer

Frequent flash floods can actually contribute to the recovery of ecosystems by providing water and nutrients, unlike the other factors which directly hinder recovery.

Question 20

Which of the following is NOT an appropriate measure for reversing desertification?

Accepted Answer

Removing boulders from sand dunes is not an appropriate measure for reversing desertification. Boulders can actually help in stabilizing sand dunes and reducing wind erosion, which is contrary to the goal of combating desertification. The other options (A, B, C, D) are all beneficial practices for preventing or reversing desertification by conserving water, preventing soil erosion, and improving soil quality.

Quiz 12: Arid Lands, Winds, and Desertification